Campaign Finance/Fair Elections
Editorial: Why is Congress tied up in knots? 
This Sacramento Bee editorial provides a few solutions to our broken Congress. One includes providing more campaign finance transparency--particularly by requiring Senators to file reports electronically

Why voters tune out Democrats
Do read this piece by pollster Stan Greenberg on what Democrats need to do to win in 2012. One thing? "The Democrats have to start detoxifying politics by proposing to severely limit or bar individual and corporate campaign contributions, which would mean a fight with the Supreme Court. They must make the case for public financing of campaigns and force the broadcast and cable networks to provide free time for candidate ads. And they must become the strongest advocates for transparency in campaign donations and in the lobbying of elected officials."

Congress/2012
A mobilization in Washington by Wall Street
"Wall Street is no longer watching from the sidelines as the most polarizing political fight in years plays out on Capitol Hill. In the last few days, top executives have been in close contact with Washington in a last-ditch attempt to prod lawmakers toward a compromise by Tuesday, the administration’s deadline to reach a deal."

Ads tout Rick Perry as "better option" for president
"A new so-called super PAC supporting a prospective Rick Perry presidential campaign is going up Monday in Iowa with a statewide television buy touting the Texas governor as “a better option” for president."

Almost half of Perry campaign cash from big donors
Almost half of the $103 million Gov. Perry (R-Texas) has raised over the years has been given by "204 'mega-donors' of $100,000 or more, according to Texans for Public Justice, a state campaign finance watchdog."

Interest groups report major political contributions
The Washington Post reports on the money outside spending groups are reporting: "Interest groups closely linked to both parties revealed a bevy of financiers who wrote six- and seven-figure checks to back Republican and Democratic candidates in disclosure documents filed over the weekend."

PAC brings in $12.2 million for Mitt
Wealthy people really like Mitt Romney. Restore Our Future, a group run by Romney officials from his 2008 bid, was funded exclusively by 90 wealthy donors, most of which have also given to the former Massachusetts governor’s presidential campaign account."

Fundraising during debt fight
"Congress may be locked in an epic struggle over the rapidly approaching debt ceiling deadline, but that hasn't stopped lawmakers from working to fill their campaign coffers."

The most anti-environment House in history: how is your representative doing?
Polluters are really doing well this Congress: "Since the 112th Congress began, there have been 110 anti-environment votes taken by the House – with 20 related to climate change, 28 on air and water pollution, and 22 on clean energy."

Oil and gas industry profit reports spark latest outcry against subsidies
It's another round of oil companies defending their profits as Congress looks to cut their subsidies.

Lobbying for lobbyists on Capitol Hill
The American League of Lobbyists will now be lobbying on behalf of themselves.

GOP fundraising far behind what it was 4 years ago
"A Des Moines Register review of campaign finance data released last month shows that the current field of candidates has raised only about half as much as those who were vying for the Republican Party’s nomination at this point four years ago."

Pro-Democratic outside groups raise $10M
Priorities USA, American Bridge, and the Democratic House and Senate PACs raised a combined $10 million in the first six months of 2011. "The overwhelming support we have received in getting each of our groups off the ground shows that Democrats won't be sitting on the sidelines in 2012" they said.

Other/States
Aug. 31 deadline set for applicants for vacant position on Ariz.'s Clean Elections commission
There's a vacant spot on the Arizona Clean Elections Commission. Apply today! (if you're a Maricopa County resident and an independent party member).